Special Review: Independence Day Specials

Happy Independence Day America!!!  *shoots off a firework*  It's great having the family here taking time from our normally busy schedules to be able to sit around and do stuff together.  We've go the radio blaring, Dad's already setting up fireworks for tonight, Mom's marinating vegetables for the grill, and our neighbor is already sleeping off his hangover (thank you Mom for helping with the photos this time as our regular photographer is... long story but mom's still gloating after winning the bet).  And now, two great outfits today from Vero Modero.

The first is a great little summer mesh dress which is one of the hunt items currently at VM.  We love this dress (the hat was compliments of Paris Metro Couture - part of the Watercolor Beach Dress, available in red or blue).  It is something you can wear to the beach or just out to a gathering with friends.  For the dress to be mesh, it fits extremely well and there are no open spaces around the dress which is a great plus.  Vero is another one of our fabulous designers that has got a great handle on working with mesh.  While we have the standard sizing shapes, I was easily able to wear my normal shape for the dress to fit right.  And for you ladies that have differently shaped avatars, the dress in the hunt comes in five different sizes.

Overall the dress is very well done and looks great with a few of my own accessories added to the outfit.  With dresses like this, I love to wear hats and jewelry sometimes, but as we all know hats do not always agree with our hair.  So, if you do use a hat you may need to edit your hair a bit (be sure to make a copy first - CatWa and Truth Hair both allow you to do this, and they not only look great but they don't cost a fortune either).  Other than that, this is an outfit that you can slip into quickly and be off to the party or sit and watch fireworks at the pier.

Overall:  10/10

Pros:  Good design, good texture

Cons:  Could come with a hat or some accessories


If you are in more of a jeans and a t-shirt mood, Vero Modero has also released their special Fourth of July group gift, free to members of their group which is also free to join.  There are men's and women's versions available.  We would have shown you the men's, but our male models were unavailable at the time of photographing this post (and writing, and editing, and you get the picture - he's still asleep).  This is a very, very nice outfit that VM has put out for everyone, free of charge.  The skinny jeans are cute, and the top and jacket enhance the outfit even more.  This is another outfit that VM has done a great job with as always.

I love this outfit, and even better, a lot of it is very versatile.  As the flag detail in the jeans are softened, almost like a well-worn jean, you could even get away with wearing them at other times of the year too.  The tank top is great - a perfect tank top really.  The jacket adds to the look, but you don't even need to wear it.  Overall the outfit is another great success for VM - great product.

Overall:  10/10

Pros:  Great texture, versatile outfit, great design

Cons:  Would love to see cuffs for the jeans.  I've never been a fan of the skinny cuffs. 





Now a word from Mom...



"Hello everyone and Happy Fourth of July!!!  If you're anything like me, there's nothing better on the Fourth than ice cold beer, a grill, and fireworks - and the louder the better!  I've been hunting through SL trying to find the best and I think I finally did.  Damanios Thetan of Collection Damani has solved your SL fireworks problems.  Mr. Thetan's Damani Fireworks DeLuxe are by far the best fireworks in Second Life.  I got us a set of them for our sim and we've had them going solid now for a good day - no lag, and they look great (and if you are lagging, check your graphics settings - I keep my anistropic filtering and antialiasing off and particle effects minimal unless we're taking photos, course we also run very few scripts on our sim).  I did have to turn up my particle effect a little bit though, and Mr. Thetan does recommend that you view these in midnight mode.  These fireworks differ from the traditional SL fireworks, which makes them even better.  In the past, you've had one single use prim that shot out particle effects, and after that, they were done forever.  Not Damani.  Damani uses a rezzer system to "fire" off a temporary prim that contains the firework in it.  You get a beautiful particle effect that looks realistic with a gentle boom that actually won't hurt your ears.  They look great and they sound great too.  There are two versions on the Marketplace - the Original for L$695 and the Deluxe for L$895. Only thing I found to be difficult with them is getting the perfect picture. 

Overall:  10/10

Pros:  Great fireworks, very realistic

Cons:  Can be hard to frame in SL unless you're in mouselook

Back to the Pumpkin... I mean The Redneck Fashinista..."

Thanks Mom  *blushes* Now, go get these from Vero Modero, go look great, feel great, and go own the night!

And now, Happy Independence Day to everyone, US or not.  As such, please enjoy these simulated fireworks created by YouTube user Armadillo1991 in the program FWsim (free to try for 4 hours, US$32.95 after - plenty of vids on YouTube):